Apr
6
2012

It Was A Good Start To The Season For The Mets

An article by John Delcos

There was a crispness to the day. Both in the weather and the way the Mets played. It was a delightful day, one that gave us a glimpse of what could be when they put it all together. Hopefully, Mike Pelfrey was taking notes on Johan Santana and pitching out of trouble as he did in the fifth.

The talking heads on SNY – and I’m not talking the play-by-play team – were in their bombastic best yesterday, saying this is how it is going to be all year with Santana and the bullpen.

Really?

How do they know that?

It would be great if that were the case, but remember, Santana is coming off a complicated surgery and the bullpen is a patchwork group. Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco were good yesterday, but if they were that good Toronto would have kept them.

Tim Byrdak was key, but how much of that was adrenalin?

I hope what they are saying happens. Damn, I want this to be a good year for the Mets. I don’t want to rain on the parade, but I guess that’s what I am here for – to put some objectivity to the picture.

Yesterday was fun. It was memorable. But, tomorrow is the real opening day.

About the Author: John Delcos

I am an active member of the BBWAA and have covered Major League Baseball in several capacities for over 20 years, including ten in New York working the Mets' and Yankees' beat. I covered the Baltimore Orioles for eight years and the Cleveland Indians before that. I currently serve as an editor and senior staff writer for Mets Merized Online. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos.

6 Comments + Add Comment

srt April 6, 2012 at 5:27 pm

One game at a time….

Meanwhile, the Mets day off today allows me to enjoy yet another Mets OD win.
jdon April 6, 2012 at 6:31 pm

Mike’s pencil broke after Santana walked the 8 and 9 hitters. So now he only knows how to get INTO trouble.
Angelo April 6, 2012 at 6:59 pm

yankees lost :p sucker
Joey D. April 7, 2012 at 1:02 am

It might have been better for us if the Mets lost yesterday.

We know what happened when they lost the season openers in 1969, 1986 and 2000. Only World Series appearance by a Met team that won a season opener was in 1973 and I truly doubt an 82-79 would merit that today.
jdon April 7, 2012 at 5:52 am

Well, Byrdak was a pretty good pitcher last year—and lefties striking out lefties is no great shock in this league. Sure Santana is a giant question mark. He will be forever with that kind of shoulder repair. The guy who concerns me most is Rauch. He is a fastball pitcher with a declining fastball. And he can give up runs in a hurry. The rest of the starting staff–less Pelfrey of course, is not bad. I think they will compete in a lot of games, and I think this lineup can produce some runs. How these factors mesh will deetermine the outcome. I am being an optimist. I think they can win 80.
Metsie April 7, 2012 at 12:06 pm

I don’t know if you can really saying scoring one run is “Putting it all together”

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	43	30	.589	-
Nationals	35	36	.493	7.0
Phillies	35	38	.479	8.0
Mets	27	41	.397	13.5
Marlins	22	49	.310	20.0

Last updated: 06/20/2013

MMO Mets Chat

Latest From Mets Minors

Tweets by @Mets_Minors

Check Out These Great MLB Links!

For wholesale prices on New York Mets gifts and equipment, check these stores out!
Mets Autograph Signings
Mets Fan Apparel
Mets Autographed Baseballs
Baseball Card Supplies
Baseball Equipment

For the best seats and lowest MLB ticket prices, go to PurchaseSeats.com. Get your Mets Tickets now and follow them on the road with Yankees Tickets, Phillies Tickets, Nationals Tickets and Braves Tickets!